scholarly journals Increased Right Frontal Brain Activity During the Mandarin Hearing-in-Noise Test

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fengxiang Song ◽  
Yi Zhan ◽  
James C. Ford ◽  
Dan-Chao Cai ◽  
Abigail M. Fellows ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Background Noise ◽  
Sentence Comprehension ◽  
Brain Activation ◽  
Button Press ◽  
Speech Comprehension ◽  
Tonal Language ◽  
Frontal Brain ◽  
Hearing In Noise ◽  
Noise Test ◽  
The Right

PurposePrevious studies have revealed increased frontal brain activation during speech comprehension in background noise. Few, however, used tonal languages. The normal pattern of brain activation during a challenging speech-in-nose task using a tonal language remains unclear. The Mandarin Hearing-in-Noise Test (HINT) is a well-established test for assessing the ability to interpret speech in background noise. The current study used Mandarin HINT (MHINT) sentences and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess brain activation with MHINT sentences.MethodsThirty native Mandarin-speaking subjects with normal peripheral hearing were recruited. Functional MRI was performed while subjects were presented with either HINT “clear” sentences with low-level background noise [signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) = +3 dB] or “noisy” sentences with high-level background noise (SNR = −5 dB). Subjects were instructed to answer with a button press whether a visually presented target word was included in the sentence. Brain activation between noisy and clear sentences was compared. Activation in each condition was also compared to a resting, no sentence presentation, condition.ResultsNoisy sentence comprehension showed increased activity in areas associated with tone processing and working memory, including the right superior and middle frontal gyri [Brodmann Areas (BAs) 46, 10]. Reduced activity with noisy sentences was seen in auditory, language, memory and somatosensory areas, including the bilateral superior and middle temporal gyri, left Heschl’s gyrus (BAs 21, 22), right temporal pole (BA 38), bilateral amygdala-hippocampus junction, and parahippocampal gyrus (BAs 28, 35), left inferior parietal lobule extending to left postcentral gyrus (BAs 2, 40), and left putamen.ConclusionIncreased frontal activation in the right hemisphere occurred when comprehending noisy spoken sentences in Mandarin. Compared to studies using non-tonal languages, this activation was strongly right-sided and involved subregions not previously reported. These findings may reflect additional effort in lexical tone perception in this tonal language. Additionally, this continuous fMRI protocol may offer a time-efficient way to assess group differences in brain activation with a challenging speech-in-noise task.

Effects of Age and Implanted Ear on Speech Recognition in Adults with Unilateral Cochlear Implants

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Allan Sharpe ◽  
Elizabeth L. Camposeo ◽  
Wasef K. Muzaffar ◽  
Meredith A. Holcomb ◽  
Judy R. Dubno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Speech Perception ◽  
Cochlear Implants ◽  
Retrospective Review ◽  
Functional Outcomes ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Hearing In Noise ◽  
Noise Test ◽  
Right Ear Advantage ◽  
The Right

The objective of this study was to examine how age and implanted ear contribute to functional outcomes with cochlear implantation (CI). A retrospective review was performed on 96 adults who underwent unilateral CI. Older adults with right-ear implants had higher Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) scores at 1 year by 10.3% (p = 0.06). When adjusted to rationalized arcsine units (rau), right-ear HINT scores in older adults were higher by 12.1 rau (p = 0.04). Older adults had an 8.9% advantage on the right side compared to the left in post- versus preimplant scores for consonant-vowel nucleus-consonant words (p = 0.05). No significant differences were observed for younger adults. In conclusion, although adults of all ages experience improvements in speech perception following CI, there might be a subtle but consistent right-ear advantage in older adults.

scholarly journals Sensory-Cognitive Interaction in the Neural Encoding of Speech in Noise: A Review

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (09) ◽  
pp. 575-585 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samira Anderson ◽  
Nina Kraus
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Auditory Brainstem ◽  
Speech Sounds ◽  
Complex Sounds ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Hearing In Noise ◽  
Brainstem Response ◽  
Noise Test

Background: Speech-in-noise (SIN) perception is one of the most complex tasks faced by listeners on a daily basis. Although listening in noise presents challenges for all listeners, background noise inordinately affects speech perception in older adults and in children with learning disabilities. Hearing thresholds are an important factor in SIN perception, but they are not the only factor. For successful comprehension, the listener must perceive and attend to relevant speech features, such as the pitch, timing, and timbre of the target speaker's voice. Here, we review recent studies linking SIN and brainstem processing of speech sounds. Purpose: To review recent work that has examined the ability of the auditory brainstem response to complex sounds (cABR), which reflects the nervous system's transcription of pitch, timing, and timbre, to be used as an objective neural index for hearing-in-noise abilities. Study Sample: We examined speech-evoked brainstem responses in a variety of populations, including children who are typically developing, children with language-based learning impairment, young adults, older adults, and auditory experts (i.e., musicians). Data Collection and Analysis: In a number of studies, we recorded brainstem responses in quiet and babble noise conditions to the speech syllable /da/ in all age groups, as well as in a variable condition in children in which /da/ was presented in the context of seven other speech sounds. We also measured speech-in-noise perception using the Hearing-in-Noise Test (HINT) and the Quick Speech-in-Noise Test (QuickSIN). Results: Children and adults with poor SIN perception have deficits in the subcortical spectrotemporal representation of speech, including low-frequency spectral magnitudes and the timing of transient response peaks. Furthermore, auditory expertise, as engendered by musical training, provides both behavioral and neural advantages for processing speech in noise. Conclusions: These results have implications for future assessment and management strategies for young and old populations whose primary complaint is difficulty hearing in background noise. The cABR provides a clinically applicable metric for objective assessment of individuals with SIN deficits, for determination of the biologic nature of disorders affecting SIN perception, for evaluation of appropriate hearing aid algorithms, and for monitoring the efficacy of auditory remediation and training.

Improving Speech Intelligibility in Background Noise with an Adaptive Directional Microphone

2006 ◽  
Vol 17 (07) ◽  
pp. 519-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Blamey ◽  
Hayley J. Fiket ◽  
Brenton R. Steele
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Aids ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Directional Microphones ◽  
Directional Microphone ◽  
Hearing In Noise ◽  
Noise Test ◽  
Moderate Hearing Loss

Omnidirectional, supercardioid, and adaptive directional microphones (ADM) were evaluated in combination with the ADRO® amplification scheme for eight participants with moderate sloping hearing losses. The ADM produced better speech perception scores than the other two microphones in all noise conditions. Participants performed the Hearing in Noise Test sentences at -4.5 dB SNR or better, which is similar to the level achievable with normal hearing. The Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Scale indicated no disadvantages of using the ADM relative to the omnidirectional microphone in real-life situations. The ADM was preferred over the omnidirectional microphone in 54% of situations, compared to 17% preferences for the omnidirectional microphone, and 29% no preference. The combination of the ADM to improve SNR, and ADRO® to keep the signal output comfortable and audible provided near-normal hearing performance for people with moderate hearing loss. The ADM is the recommended microphone configuration for ADRO hearing aids.

Unilateral versus Bilateral Amplification for Adults with Impaired Hearing

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (08) ◽  
pp. 574-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
Therese C. Walden ◽  
Brian E. Walden
Keyword(s):  
Speech Recognition ◽  
Test Scores ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Older Patients ◽  
Deleterious Effect ◽  
Impaired Hearing ◽  
Speech In Noise ◽  
Hearing Thresholds ◽  
Noise Test ◽  
The Right

This study compared unilateral and bilateral aided speech recognition in background noise in 28 patients being fitted with amplification. Aided QuickSIN (Quick Speech-in-Noise test) scores were obtained for bilateral amplification and for unilateral amplification in each ear. In addition, right-ear directed and left-ear directed recall on the Dichotic Digits Test (DDT) was obtained from each participant. Results revealed that the vast majority of patients obtained better speech recognition in background noise on the QuickSIN from unilateral amplification than from bilateral amplification. There was a greater tendency for bilateral amplification to have a deleterious effect among older patients. Most frequently, better aided QuickSIN performance was obtained in the right ear of participants, despite similar hearing thresholds in both ears. Finally, patients tended to perform better on the DDT in the ear that provided less SNR loss on the QuickSIN. Results suggest that bilateral amplification may not always be beneficial in every daily listening environment when background noise is present, and it may be advisable for patients wearing bilateral amplification to remove one hearing aid when difficulty is encountered understanding speech in background noise.

Reception Thresholds for Sentences in Bilingual (Spanish/English) and Monolingual (English) Listeners

2004 ◽  
Vol 15 (01) ◽  
pp. 088-098 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah von Hapsburg ◽  
Craig A. Champlin ◽  
Suparna R. Shetty
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Auditory Thresholds ◽  
Threshold Levels ◽  
Hearing In Noise ◽  
Lack Of Control ◽  
Perceptual Performance ◽  
Noise Test ◽  
Auditory Research

Recent evidence on the perceptual performance of bilingual listeners suggests that a nonaudibility-based cost exists in processing a second language. That is, when compared to monolingual English speakers and early bilinguals, listeners who acquired English as a second language after puberty show reduced performance when listening to the second language in background noise, despite normal auditory thresholds. However, past studies have not controlled for the homogeneity of the bilingual participants used in auditory research; therefore, it is unknown whether the deficit observed in bilingual function is due to a lack of control for language-related variables. The ability of a homogeneous group of Spanish-English bilinguals and English monolingual listeners to perceive sentences in quiet and in noise at threshold levels was evaluated using the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT). Both groups performed similarly in quiet conditions. In the noise conditions, the bilingual group's performance was significantly poorer than the monolingual group's performance. However, both groups showed a binaural advantage of 7–8 dB when the signal and noise were separated by 90 degrees.

scholarly journals Corrigendum: Increased Right Frontal Brain Activity During the Mandarin Hearing-in-Noise Test

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fengxiang Song ◽  
Yi Zhan ◽  
James C. Ford ◽  
Dan-Chao Cai ◽  
Abigail M. Fellows ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Activity ◽  
Frontal Brain ◽  
Hearing In Noise ◽  
Noise Test

Effects of Frequency Modulation (FM) Transmitter Microphone Directivity on Speech Perception in Noise

2004 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Samantha Lewis ◽  
Carl C. Crandell ◽  
Nicole V. Kreisman
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Frequency Modulation ◽  
Background Noise ◽  
Wide Angle ◽  
Speech Perception In Noise ◽  
Directional Microphones ◽  
Directional Microphone ◽  
Hearing In Noise ◽  
Speech Spectrum ◽  
Noise Test

Frequency modulation (FM) technology can significantly improve the speech perception ability of individuals with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in background noise. Previous investigations have demonstrated that the microphone design of the FM transmitter can have a significant impact on this improved speech perception. The purpose of this investigation was to compare 3 types of FM transmitter microphone designs: (a) wide angle (omnidirectional microphone), which amplifies sounds coming from all directions around the microphone equally; (b) zoom (1 directional microphone), which provides less amplification to signals coming from the rear, and (c) superzoom (2 directional microphones), which provides less amplification to signals originating from the rear and the sides. Fifteen adults with bilateral slight to moderately severe SNHL participated. Speech perception was assessed using the Hearing in Noise Test (M. Nilsson, S. Soli, & J. Sullivan, 1994). Speech spectrum shaped noise served as the noise competition. Results revealed that the best speech perception in noise was obtained when the FM transmitter was used in the zoom setting. The poorest performance was obtained when the FM transmitter was in the wide-angle mode. The clinical implications of these results are discussed.

Verbal comprehension deficits after right hemisphere damage

1980 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 279-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel B. Hier ◽  
Joni Kaplan
Keyword(s):  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Sentence Comprehension ◽  
Right Hemisphere ◽  
Vocabulary Test ◽  
Verbal Comprehension ◽  
Visuospatial Deficits ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Right Hemisphere Damage ◽  
The Right ◽  
Grammatical Sentence

ABSTRACTWe have compared the verbal comprehension abilities of 34 right hemisphere damaged patients to 16 hospitalized control subjects of comparable age and educational attainment. The right hemisphere damaged patients performed as well as the control subjects on a vocabulary test, but were impaired in their ability to interpret proverbs and comprehend logico-grammatical sentences. Impairment on the proverbs test was the result of a decrease in the number of abstract interpretations, whereas impairment on the logico-grammatical sentence comprehension test was related to difficultes in grasping spatial and passive relationships. These comprehension impairments tended to correlate with visuospatial deficits and hemianopia, but not with the degree of hemiparesis or the presence of sensory extinction. Patients with anterior right hemisphere damage performed better on the logico-grammatical sentence conprehension test than patients with posterior damage. A variety of factors probably contribute to these verbal deficits including impaired intellect, inattention, an inability to grasp spatial relationships, and difficulties in manipulating the inner schemata of language.

scholarly journals Brain Activation during Thoughts of One’s Own Death and Its Linear and Curvilinear Correlations with Fear of Death in Elderly Individuals: An fMRI Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanan Hirano ◽  
Kentaro Oba ◽  
Toshiki Saito ◽  
Shohei Yamazaki ◽  
Ryuta Kawashima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brain Activation ◽  
Posterior Cingulate Cortex ◽  
Fear Of Death ◽  
Supramarginal Gyrus ◽  
Brain Responses ◽  
Fmri Study ◽  
Negative Linear Correlation ◽  
The Right ◽  
Older Populations ◽  
Existential Issues

Abstract Facing one’s own death and managing the fear of death are important existential issues, particularly in older populations. Although recent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies have investigated brain responses to death-related stimuli, none has examined whether this brain activation was specific to one’s own death or how it was related to dispositional fear of death. In this study, during fMRI, 34 elderly participants (aged, 60–72 years) were presented with either death-related or death-unrelated negative words and asked to evaluate the relevance of these words to the “self” or the “other.” The results showed that only the left supplementary motor area (SMA) was selectively activated during self-relevant judgments of death-related words. Regression analyses of the effect of fear of death on brain activation during death-related thoughts identified a significant negative linear correlation in the right supramarginal gyrus (SMG) and an inverted-U-shaped correlation in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) only during self-relevant judgments. Our results suggest potential involvement of the SMA in the existential aspect of thoughts of death. The distinct fear-of-death-dependent responses in the SMG and PCC may reflect fear-associated distancing of the physical self and the processing of death-related thoughts as a self-relevant future agenda, respectively.

A Clinical Perspective on Cochlear Dead Regions: Intelligibility of Speech and Subjective Hearing Aid Benefit

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (08) ◽  
pp. 600-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill E. Preminger ◽  
Ryan Carpenter ◽  
Craig H. Ziegler
Keyword(s):  
Background Noise ◽  
Speech Intelligibility ◽  
Pure Tone ◽  
Hearing Aid ◽  
Clinical Population ◽  
Clinical Perspective ◽  
Listening Environments ◽  
Noise Test ◽  
Cochlear Dead Regions ◽  
Hearing Aid Benefit

Using the threshold equalizing noise (TEN) test, 49 subjects with at least two pure-tone thresholds per ear greater than 50 dB HL and none greater than 80 dB HL were evaluated for the presence or absence of dead regions. The purpose of this study was to (1) assess the prevalence of cochlear dead regions in this clinical population, (2) measure whether listeners with dead regions performed differently than listeners without dead regions on a speech intelligibility in noise test, and (3) determine whether cochlear dead regions are associated with reduced subjective hearing aid performance. The results showed that (1) twenty-nine percent of the subjects tested positive for dead regions, (2) listeners with dead regions had poorer sentence understanding in noise than listeners without dead regions and (3) listeners with dead regions perceived poorer subjective hearing aid performance in listening environments with reverberation or background noise as compared to those without dead regions.

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